Connecticut western news., 1887-05-11
TWO AT ONCE.
The Strange Story Told by a
 Federal, Corporal.
A Gun That Was Discharged by Falling
 Kills Two Men in Ambush.

A Gun That Was Discharged by Falling
 Kills Two Men in Ambush.
 On the night before Gen. Blunt at- tackled Marmaduke at Cape Hill, Ark, and after n days march of twenty-seven miles, the company in which I was then private, says "Corporal Jackson" in the Detroit Free Press, was placed on outpost duty We were within three or four miles of Crane Hill and as far as we knew had not yet been discovered by the enemy. Marmaduke had strong body of cavalry under him, and his force was in advance of body of 20, 900 infan-, try under Gen. Hindman. Hindman was yet two days away when we came up, it being Blunt's plan to fall upon Marmadukc before he could receive supports.
 When we came to be stationed for the night two men were allowed on each outpost, and spot where comrade and myself were stationed was alongside the highway leading to Crane Hill, aud from half to three quarters of mile from our camp. There was heavy re- serve picket a quarter of mile behind us, but as soon as we had been left alone and night had settled down we discov- cred that we had very lonely ',c-ition. It was at bend of the road, and just here was creek and morass, while the forest about us was dense and gloomy. It seemed as if every living thing known to night had come to give us serenade. A big owl took position in the tree above our heads and kept up his dismal hoots for an hour, while whippoorwills, frogs and various insects added their notes.
 My comrade was burly big German, l having little sentiment and no fear about him, and being tired of the long march he soon began to drowse. l pitched into him tooth and toenail when caught him asleep, for nothing was surer than the knowledge that Marmaduke would send scouts and spies along our front and into our camp if he knew of our presence. The man reused up for awhile, but by and by sleep overcame him again, and he sat down with his back to tree and made no further attempt to keep awake. When Hound that no argument of mine would keep his eyes open, my only recourse was to keep double watch, and so made sure that the relief did not f find him asleep when it came up. Twas so thoroughly tired out that could not have slept even in camp.
 After the first hour had passed away and l had become accustomed to the noises and the loneliness. there was nothing so very disagreeable in the situ- ation. My comrade had gradually fallen over, until at last he was flat on the ground. l sat with my back to the tree, facing the bend in the road and the bridge, and, though the night was without moon, could have easily de- tected anyone seeking to cross the stream by the highway. An hour and half had passed when tEe silence was broken by stifled cry. It acted on me like an electric shock, and sprang up, with my heart in my mouth. could not tell from which direction it came, and as there had been only one cry, l soon made myself believe that it had been uttered by some bird or animal. Nevertheless, my nerves were all on edge, and the loneli- ness grew so oppressive that l deter mined to arouse my comrade. As moved over to him for this purpose my foot struck his musket, which was leaning against the tree, and it fell down and was discharged. The sharp report was followed by an "Oh! ohr' close at hand, and the sleeper at my feet was awake and on his feet in five seconds. We stood there, looking this way and that, and listening as only men can when peril menaces, until tne Corporars guard came trotting up tc ascertain the cause of the firing.
 Then what do you suppose we dis covered2 Not over twenty feet from the tree, in the woods by the roadside, lay the bodies of two of the toughest look. ing bushwhackers one ever saw. One was right behind the other, and the ounce ball from the muskct I had knocked down had passed through both their bodies just below tho breast bone. Each had bowie-knife, and each knife was stained with fresh blood, and when we investigated fur ther we found that both men on th' outpost to our right had been assassi nated-each being stabbed in three O. four places. You may call it Provi dence, accident, or whatever you will l am only giving you the facts in thu case, and facts that can be substantiatet by scores of men still living.
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